U.S. patent application number 17/100032 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-27 for table structure that allows folding tables to be expanded and stably combined.
This patent application is currently assigned to J.Y.MONTAGE TRADE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is J.Y.MONTAGE TRADE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to CHIH-SHUN YANG.
Application Number | 20210153642 17/100032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005263147 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210153642 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YANG; CHIH-SHUN |
May 27, 2021 |
TABLE STRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS FOLDING TABLES TO BE EXPANDED AND
STABLY COMBINED
Abstract
Described herein is a foldable table capable of being expanded
and stably folded. The foldable table includes a table top plate;
two matching frames, each including a first frame and a second
frame; and two foldable table legs, each including a first support
member and a second support member. Each of the first support
member and the second support member includes a U-shaped bolt and a
spring drum for combining with the two support members. The support
member design including the U-shaped bolt and the spring drum allow
the foldable table to be expanded without using excessive force.
The table top plate includes a first plate body and a second plate
body, each of which includes a joint portion, which allows the
table to be stably folded.
Inventors: |
YANG; CHIH-SHUN; (CHANGHUA
COUNTY, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
J.Y.MONTAGE TRADE INDUSTRY CO., LTD. |
CHANGHUA COUNTY |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
J.Y.MONTAGE TRADE INDUSTRY CO.,
LTD.
CHANGHUA COUNTY
TW
|
Family ID: |
1000005263147 |
Appl. No.: |
17/100032 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2200/005 20130101;
A47B 3/083 20130101; A47B 2200/004 20130101; A47B 3/0809 20130101;
A47B 3/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 3/083 20060101
A47B003/083; A47B 3/00 20060101 A47B003/00; A47B 3/08 20060101
A47B003/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 21, 2019 |
JP |
2019-004420 |
Claims
1. A foldable table, comprising: a table top plate, wherein the
table top plate comprises a first plate body and a second plate
body are connected to each other and are configured to be folded in
relative to each other, wherein the first plate body and the second
plate body are substantially rectangular, wherein the first plate
body and the second plate body have two shorter sides and two
longer sides, and wherein a first longer side of the first plate
body and a first longer side of the second plate body are in
proximity to each other; two matching frames, wherein each matching
frame of the two matching frames comprises a first frame and a
second frame, wherein the first frame is below the first plate body
and in proximity to a first shorter side of the first plate body,
wherein the second frame is below the second plate body and in
proximity to a first shorter side of the second plate body, wherein
the first frame has a first retaining groove on a site thereof
adjacent to the first shorter side of the first plate body, and
wherein the second frame has a second retaining groove on a site
thereof adjacent to the first shorter side of the second plate
body; and two foldable table legs, wherein each foldable table leg
of the two foldable table legs corresponds to one of the two
matching frames, wherein each foldable table leg comprises a first
support member and a second support member, wherein the first
support member comprises a first U-shaped bolt, a first elastic
C-shaped main body, and a first spring drum integrally formed in
this sequence, wherein the second support member comprises a second
U-shaped bolt, a second elastic C-shaped main body, and a second
spring drum integrally formed in this sequence, wherein the first
elastic C-shaped main body passes through the first retaining
groove of the first frame such that the first U-shaped bolt and the
first spring drum are in proximity to the first longer side of the
first plate body and the first longer side of the second plate
body, wherein the second elastic C-shaped main body passes through
the second retaining groove of the second frame such that the
second U-shaped bolt and the second spring drum are in proximity to
the first longer side of the first plate body and the first longer
side of the second plate body, and wherein the first U-shaped bolt
is inserted in the second spring drum, and the second U-shaped bolt
is inserted in the first spring drum, wherein, when the foldable
table is in an expanded state, the first plate body and the second
plate body are substantially in the same plane, the first elastic
C-shaped main body of the first support member leans obliquely
against the first retaining groove at an end of the first elastic
C-shaped main body distal to a junction between the first plate
body and the second plate body, the second elastic C-shaped main
body of the second support member leans obliquely against the
second retaining groove at an end of the second support member
distal to the junction between the first plate body and the second
plate body, the foldable table is kept in the expanded state by an
elastic force between the first spring drum and the second U-shaped
bolt and by an elastic force between the second spring drum and the
first U-shaped bolt, and a bottom portion of the first elastic
C-shaped main body, a bottom portion of the second elastic C-shaped
main body, as well as the first U-shaped bolt inserted in the
second spring drum and the second U-shaped bolt inserted in the
first spring drum forms three-point stabilization, and wherein,
when the foldable table is in a folded state, the first plate body
leans against the second plate body closely, the first elastic
C-shaped main body is moved toward an end of the first retaining
groove proximal to the junction between the first plate body and
the second plate body and leans against the first plate body, the
second elastic C-shaped main body is moved toward an end of the
second retained groove proximal to the junction between the first
plate body and the second plate body and leans against the second
plate body, the first support member and the second support member
are between the first frame and the second frame, and the first
frame and the second frame are between the first plate body and the
second plate body.
2. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the first plate body
comprises a first joint portion at a second longer side of the
first plate body, the second plate body comprises a second joint
portion at a second longer side of the second plate body, and the
first joint portion and the second joint portion are configured to
join with each other to keep the table in the folded state.
3. The foldable table of claim 2, wherein the first joint portion
and the second joint portion are configured to join with each other
in a coalescing manner.
4. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the first frame is
substantially triangular, the first retaining groove is located on
a longer leg of the triangle, the shorter leg of the triangle is in
proximity with the junction between the first plate body and the
second plate body, the first frame has a retaining block on a
hypotenuse of the triangle, and the retaining block is configured
to limit a movement of the first elastic C-shaped main body.
5. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the first frame has a
position limiting cut-out in proximity to where the first U-shaped
bolt inserted in the second spring drum, and the first elastic
C-shaped main body passes through the position limiting cut-out
which limits a movement of the first elastic C-shaped main
body.
6. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the first U-shaped bolt
is inserted in the second drum at a first location, the second
U-shaped bolt is inserted in the first drum at a second location,
and the first location is distal to the first shorter sides of the
first plate body and the second plate body in relative to the
second location.
7. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the first elastic
C-shaped main body of the first support member comprises a first
upper portion, a first connector portion, and a first lower
portion, the first upper portion is in proximity to the first plate
body, the first connector portion is angularly connected to the
first upper portion at a first end of the first connector portion
and is angularly connected to the first lower portion at a second
end of the first connector portion, the first upper portion is
connected to the first U-shaped bolt at an end of the first upper
portion distal to a connection with the first connector portion,
the first U-shaped bolt extends downward from the first upper
portion such that the first U-shaped bolt is substantially
perpendicular to a lower surface of the first plate body, the first
upper portion passes through the first retaining groove at an end
of the first upper portion proximal to the first connector portion,
and leans obliquely against the first retaining groove at an end of
the first retaining groove distal to the junction between the first
plate body and the second plate body when the foldable table is in
the expanded state, the first lower portion is connected to the
first spring drum at an end of the first lower portion distal to
the first connector portion, and the first spring drum extends
upward from the first lower portion such that the first spring drum
is substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the first
plate body.
8. The foldable table of claim 7, wherein the second elastic
C-shaped main body of the second support member comprises a second
upper portion, a second connector portion, and a second lower
portion, the second upper portion is in proximity to the second
plate body, the second connector portion is angularly connected to
the second upper portion at a first end of the second connector
portion and is angularly connected to the second lower portion at a
second end of the second connector portion, the second upper
portion is connected to the second U-shaped bolt at an end of the
second upper portion distal to a connection with the second
connector portion, the second U-shaped bolt extends downward from
the second upper portion such that the second U-shaped bolt is
substantially perpendicular to a lower surface of the second plate
body, the second upper portion passes through the second retaining
groove at an end of the second upper portion proximal to the second
connector portion, and leans obliquely against the second retaining
groove at an end of the second retaining groove distal to the
junction between the first plate body and the second plate body
when the foldable table is in the expanded state, the second lower
portion is connected to the second spring drum at an end of the
second lower portion distal to the second connector portion, and
the second spring drum extends upward from the second lower portion
such that the second spring drum is substantially perpendicular to
the lower surface of the second plate body.
9. The foldable table of claim 8, wherein, when viewing from a
lower side of the foldable table, the first upper portion and the
first lower portion of the first support member cross each other,
and the second upper portion and the second lower portion of the
second support member do not cross each other when the foldable
table is in the expanded state.
10. The foldable table of claim 5, wherein the first elastic
C-shaped main body of the first support member comprises a first
upper portion, a first connector portion, and a first lower
portion, the first upper portion is in proximity to the first plate
body, the first connector portion is angularly connected to the
first upper portion at a first end of the first connector portion
and is angularly connected to the first lower portion at a second
end of the first connector portion, the first upper portion is
connected with the first U-shaped bolt at an end of the first upper
portion distal to a connection with the first connector portion,
the first U-shaped bolt extends downward from the first upper
portion such that the first U-shaped bolt is substantially
perpendicular to the lower surface of the first plate body, the
first upper portion passes through the first retaining groove at an
end of the first upper portion proximal to the first connector
portion, and leans obliquely against the first retaining groove at
an end of the first retaining groove distal to the junction between
the first plate body and the second plate body when the foldable
table is in the expanded state, the first lower portion is
connected to the first spring drum at an end of the first lower
portion distal to the first connector, the first spring drum
extends upward from the first lower portion such that the first
spring drum is substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of
the first plate body, and the first upper portion passes through
the position limiting cut-out at a site of the first upper portion
proximal to the first U-shaped bolt.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] The instant application claims priority from JP3225337, the
entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The instant disclosure is directed to a foldable table,
particularly to a foldable table having a structure that allows the
folding table to be expanded and stably combined, or folded.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Referring to Republic of China (Taiwan) Utility Model Patent
No. M576002 for a conventional folding table structure. Also, refer
to instant FIGS. 1 and 2 for explanations of the same conventional
folding table structure.
[0004] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional folding table
structure includes a table top plate 10', two folding frames 20',
and two support units 30'. The table top plate 10' is composed of
two symmetrical aluminum rectangular plates 11'. The back surfaces
of the two rectangular plates 11' are provided with convex ribs 13'
corresponding to each other on a proximal side and a distal side,
respectively. The two folding frames 20' are provided on the back
surface of the table top plate 10', each of which extends across
the two rectangular plate bodies 11'. Each of the two folding
frames 20' includes a first iron piece 21' and a second iron piece
22' for folding. Each of the first iron piece 21' and the second
iron piece 22' has a substantially right-triangular shape, and the
two iron pieces are pivotally contacted with each other by a
rotation shaft portion 23' at the vertices of the two right-angled
portions. The first iron piece 21' is provided with an L-shaped
inner folding side plate 211' on a horizontal side of the
right-angled portion, and the inner folding side plate 211' has a
long position-limiting groove 212' on a vertical surface thereof.
Similarly, the second iron piece 22' is provided with an L-shaped
outer folding side plate 221' on the horizontal side of the
right-angled portion. The outer folding side plate 221' and the
inner folding side plate 211' are on the same horizontal side. The
outer folding side plate 221' has a long position-limiting groove
222' provided on a vertical surface thereof. Position-limiting
sliding sides 213' and 223' are extended vertically to the opposite
ends from the horizontal sides of the first iron piece 21' and the
second iron piece 22', respectively. An L-shaped inner top plate
214' is provided on a diagonal top end of the first iron sheet 21'
facing the inner folding side plate 211'. The inner top plate 214'
is provided with a short position-limiting groove 215' facing the
long position-limiting groove 212'. The top end 216' of the inner
top plate 214' abuts against the rib 13' on the inner side of the
bottom surface of the rectangular plate 11'. The inner top plate
214' forms an oblique guide edge 217' from the top end 216' to the
other end. A position-limiting plate 218' is further provided at
the top of the first iron sheet 21' adjacent to the inner top plate
214'.
[0005] Two supporting units 30' are respectively assembled and
arranged between the first and second iron sheets 21' and 22' of
the two folding brackets 20'. Both supporting units 30' have a
first leg 31' and a second leg 32'. The first and second legs 31',
32' are both formed by bending metal strips to a U shape, having
first standing rods 311', 321' and a second standing rods 312',
322'. The first standing rods 311', 321' and the second standing
rods 312', 322' are of different lengths and are located on
different planes. The first standing rod 311' of the first leg 31'
is the same length as the second standing rod 322' of the second
leg 32'. The second standing rod 312' of the first leg 31' is the
same length as the first standing rod 321' of the second leg 32'.
The first standing rods 311', 321' connect with combination
connecting rods 313', 323' in directions extending toward the
second standing rods 312', 322'. The second standing rods 312',
322' connect with combination sleeves 314', 324' in directions
extending toward the first standing rods 311', 321'. As such, the
first standing rod 311' of the first leg 31' is sleeved on the
combination sleeve 324' of the second standing rod 322' of second
leg 32' via the combination connecting rod 313', and the first
standing rod 321' of the second leg 32' is sleeved on the
combination sleeve 314' of the second standing rod 312' of the
first leg 31' via the combination connecting rod 323'. These
elements are therefore configured to be combined to form a
chevron-shaped support unit which has deformable elasticity of
inward compression and outward elasticity.
[0006] Because, in the above-mentioned folding table structure, the
combination of the first leg 31' and the second leg 32' must be
sleeved on the combination sleeves 314', 324' through the
combination connecting rods 313', 323', respectively, the assembly
and disassembly are not easy and the components need to be made
with different materials and processes, which is time-consuming and
costly. Furthermore, because the assembly needs to be done with
different materials, there is no other assisting force when
expanding and folding, resulting in the need for greater force to
fold or expand the table. In addition, the outer side of the table
top plate 10' is provided with the rib 13', such causes instability
and inconvenience when combining the table.
SUMMARY
[0007] To address the above issues observed by the instant
inventor, a table structure that allows folding tables to be
expended and stably folded is proposed. In the table structure, the
first support member and the second support member are made of one
piece having the same or roughly similar shapes. As such, the
support members are able to be easily manufactured with reduced
manufacturing and material costs. Furthermore, the combination of
the first support member and the second support member is done by
inserting a first U-shaped bolt into a second spring drum, and
inserting the second U-shaped bolt into the first spring drum,
which is convenient for assembly and disassembly. In addition, the
elastic force of the first spring sleeve relative to the second
U-shaped bolt and the elastic force of the second spring sleeve
relative to the first U-shaped bolt is able to be harnessed such
that the table is capable of being easily expanded. Furthermore,
the bottom of the first elastic C-shaped main body, the bottom of
the second elastic C-shaped main body, and the first U-shaped bolt
inserted into the second spring drum and the second U-shaped bolt
inserted into the first spring drum to form a three-point
stabilization, thereby achieving a stable structure when the table
is expanded.
[0008] In addition, by setting the first joint portion of the first
plate body and the second joint portion of the second plate body,
the first joint portion and second joint portion of the table
structure are able to combine with each other by, for example,
embedding.
[0009] To achieve the above goal, the instant application provides
a table structure that allows folding tables to be expanded and
stably folded. The table structure includes: a table top plate, a
first plate body, and a second plate body. The first plate body and
the second plate body are connected to each other and able to be
folded in relative to each other. The first plate body and the
second plate body are substantially rectangular such that both the
first plate body and the second plate body have two shorter sides
and two longer sides. One of the longer sides of the first plate
body is arranged closed to one of the longer sides of the second
plate body. The table structure further includes two matching
frames arranged adjacent to the shorter sides of the first plate
body and the second plate body. The two matching frames include a
first frame and a second frame, which are arranged below the first
plate body and the second plate body, respectively. The first frame
has a first retaining groove adjacent to the shorter sides of the
first plate body, and the second frame has a second retaining
groove adjacent to the shorter sides of the second plate body. The
table structure further includes two foldable table legs
corresponding to the two matching frames such. Each of the foldable
table legs includes a first support member and a second support
member. The first support member includes a first U-shaped bolt, a
first elastic C-shaped main body, and a first spring drum formed
integrally in this sequence. The second support member includes a
second U-shaped bolt, a second elastic C-shaped main body, and a
second spring drum formed integrally in this sequence. The first
elastic C-shaped main body pierces the first retaining groove of
the first frame such that the first U-shaped bolt and the first
spring drum are adjacent to configurations at a location where the
longer sides of the first plate body and the second plate body
meet. The second elastic C-shaped main body pierces the second
retaining groove of the second frame such that the second U-shaped
bolt and the second spring drum are adjacent to configurations at a
location where the longer sides of the first plate body and the
second plate body meet. The first U-shaped bolt is inserted into
the second spring drum, and the second U-shaped bolt is inserted
into the first spring drum.
[0010] When the table structure is in an expanded state, the first
plate body and the second plate body are on the same plane. The
first elastic C-shaped main body of the first support member of
each foldable table leg leans against the first retaining groove
obliquely away from the end of the connection between the first
plate body and the second plate body. Similarly, first elastic
C-shaped main body of the second support member of each of the
foldable table legs leans against the second retaining groove
obliquely away from the connection between the first plate body and
the second plate body. The elastic force between the first spring
drum and of the second U-shaped bolt and the elastic force between
the second spring drum and the first U-shaped bolt assists the
expansion of the table. The lower portion of the first elastic
C-shaped main body, lower portion of the second elastic C-shaped
main body, as well as the first U-shaped bolt inserted in the
second spring drum and the second U-shaped bolt inserted in the
first spring drum result in three-point stabilization.
[0011] When the table structure is in a folded state, the first
plate body folds close to the second plate body. The first elastic
C-shaped main body moves toward the first retaining groove adjacent
to the junction of the first plate body and the second plate body.
The entirety of the first elastic C-shaped main body is close to
the first plate body. The second elastic C-shaped main body moves
toward the second retaining groove adjacent to the junction of the
first plate body and the second plate body. The entirety of the
second elastic C-shaped main body is close to the second plate
body. The first support member and the second support member are
located between the first frame and the second frame, as well as
between the first plate body and the second plate body.
[0012] In some embodiments, the first plate body includes a first
joint portion at the longer side thereof away from the connection
with the second plate body, and the second plate body includes a
second joint portion at the longer side thereof away from the
connection with the first plate body. The first joint portion and
the second joint portion are able to join with each other so that
the table is folded.
[0013] In some embodiments, the first joint portion and the second
joint portion are configured to join with each other in a
coalescing manner.
[0014] In some embodiments, the first frame is substantially
triangular. The first retaining groove is configured on a longer
leg of the first frame. The shorter leg of the first frame is
adjacent to the connections between the first plate body and the
second plate body. The hypotenuse of the first frame is configured
with a retaining block configured to retain the first C-shaped main
body of the first support member.
[0015] In some embodiments, the first frame has a position limiting
cutout adjacent to where the first U-shaped bolt inserted into the
second spring drum. The first elastic C-shaped main body passes
through the position limiting cut-out so that the movement of the
first elastic C-shaped main body is limited by the position
limiting cut-out.
[0016] In some embodiments, the location where the first U-shaped
bolt inserting in the second spring drum is arranged far from the
shorter sides of the first plate body and the second plate body.
The location where the second U-shaped bolt inserting in the spring
drum is arranged close to the shorter sides of the first plate body
and the second plate body.
[0017] In some embodiments, the first elastic C-shaped main body of
the first support member includes a first upper portion, a first
connector portion, and a first lower portion. The first upper
portion is arranged close to the first plate body. Two ends of the
first connector portion are angularly connected to the first upper
portion and the first lower portion. The end of the first upper
portion distal to the connection with the first connector portion
is connected to the first U-shaped bolt. The first U-shaped bolt
extends downward from the first upper portion, such that the first
U-shaped bolt is substantially perpendicular to a lower surface of
the first plate body. The end of the first upper portion adjacent
to the connection with the first connector portion passes through
the first retaining groove, and in the unfolded state, lean against
the end of the first retaining groove further away from the
connection between the first plate body and the second plate body.
The end of the first lower portion away from the connection with
the first connector portion is connected to the first spring drum.
The first spring drum extends upward from the first lower portion,
such that the first spring drum is substantially perpendicular to
the lower surface of the first plate body. The first upper portion
passes through the position limiting cut-out at a location adjacent
to the first U-shaped bolt.
[0018] In some embodiments, the second elastic C-shaped main body
of the second support member includes a second upper portion, a
second connector portion, and a second lower portion. The second
upper portion is arranged close to the second plate body. Two ends
of the second connector portion are angularly connected to the
second upper portion and the second lower portion. The second upper
portion is connected to the second U-shaped bolt at an end away
from the connection with the second connector portion. The second
U-shaped bolt extends downward from the second upper portion, such
that the second U-shaped bolt is substantially perpendicular to a
lower surface of the second plate body. The end of the second upper
portion adjacent to the connection with the second connector
portion passes through the second retaining groove, and leans
obliquely against the end of the second retaining groove away from
the connection between the first plate body and the second plate
body when the table is expanded. The end of the second lower
portion away from the second connector portion is connected to the
second spring drum. The second spring drum extends upward from the
second lower portion, such that the second spring drum is
substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the second
plate body.
[0019] In some embodiments, when viewing from the bottom plan view,
when the table is in expanded state, the first upper portion and
the first lower portion of the first support member cross each
other, and the second upper portion and the second lower portion of
the second support member do not cross.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from
the following detailed description when read with the accompanying
figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice
in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact,
the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased
or reduced for clarity of discussion.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic of a folding table
as described in some references.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged and exploded schematic diagram
of the folding bracket and the supporting unit of a folding table
as described in some references.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a partial bottom view schematic of the table
structure in accordance with some embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a side view schematic of the table structure in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic of the disassembled legs of the table
structure in accordance with some embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic of the assembled legs of the table
structure in accordance with some embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway schematic of the table when
folded in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The following disclosure provides many different
embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of
the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and
arrangements are described below to simplify the present
disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not
intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first
feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows
may include embodiments in which the first and second features are
formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which
additional features may be formed between the first and second
features, such that the first and second features may not be in
direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat
reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This
repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does
not in itself dictate a relationship between the various
embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, the instant specification, in some
embodiments, describes a table structure that allows folding tables
to be expanded and stably folded. In some embodiments, the table
100 includes a table top plate 1, two matching frames 2 and two
foldable table legs 3.
[0030] The table top plate 1 includes a first plate body 11 and a
second plate body 12 that are connected to each other and can be
folded in relative to each other. The first plate body 11 and the
second plate body 12 are substantially rectangular, having two
longer sides and two shorter sides. One of the longer sides of the
first plate body 11 and one of the longer sides of the second plate
body 12 are arranged close to each other.
[0031] A first joint portion 13 is arranged at the longer side of
the first plate body 11 distal to the connection between the first
plate body 11 and the second plate body 12. A second joint portion
14 is arranged at the longer side of the second plate body 11
distal to the connection between the first plate body 11 and the
second plate body 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the first joint portion
13 and the second joint portion 14 of the table 100 can combine
with each other so that the table 100 is folded. In some
embodiments, the first joint portion 13 and the second joint
portion 14 are joined in a coalescing manner. However, the instant
specification is not limited thereto and one of ordinary skill in
the art would understand that other means for joining the first
joint portion 13 and the second joint portion 14 exist.
[0032] The two matching frames 2 are arranged adjacent to the
shorter sides of the first plate body 11 and the second plate body
12. Each matching frame 2 includes a first frame 21 and a second
frame 22, which are arranged on a lower surface of first plate body
11 and a lower surface of the second plate body 12, respectively.
The first frame 21 has a first retaining groove 23 adjacent to the
short side of the first plate body 11, and the second frame 22 has
a second retaining groove 24 adjacent to the short side of the
second plate body 12.
[0033] Two foldable table legs 3 are arranged corresponding to the
two matching frames 2. Each foldable table legs 3 includes a first
support member 31 and a second support member 32. In some
embodiments, the shape of the first support member 31 and the
second support member 32 are similar or the same. However, the
instant specification is not limited thereto. The first support
member 31 includes a first U-shaped bolt 311, a first elastic
C-shaped main body 312, and a first spring drum 313 integrally
formed in this sequence. The second support member 32 includes a
second U-shaped bolt 321, a second elastic C-shaped main body 322,
and a second spring drum 323 integrally formed in this sequence.
The first elastic C-shaped main body 312 passes through the first
retaining groove 23 of the first frame 21, such that the first
U-shaped bolt 311 and the first spring drum 313 are arranged
adjacent to the connecting longer sides of the first plate body 11
and the second plate body 12. The second elastic C-shaped main body
322 passes through the second retaining groove 24 of the second
frame 22, such that the second U-shaped bolt 321 and the second
spring drum 323 are located adjacent to connecting longer sides of
the first plate body 11 and the second plate body 12. The first
U-shaped bolt 311 is inserted in the second spring drum 323, and
the second U-shaped bolt 321 is inserted in the first spring drum
313.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, when the table 100 is expanded, the
first plate body 11 and the second plate body 12 are substantially
in the same plane. The first elastic C-shaped main body 312 of the
first support member 31 of the legs 3 leans obliquely against of
the first retaining groove 23 at the end distal to the connection
between the first plate body 11 and the second plate body 12. The
second elastic C-shaped main body 322 of the second support member
32 of the legs 3 leans obliquely against of the second retaining
groove 24 at the end distal to the connection between the first
plate body 11 and the second plate body 12. The table 100 is
expanded by the elastic force between the first spring drum 313 and
the second U-shaped bolt 321, as well as the elastic force between
the second spring drum 323 and the first U-shaped bolt 311. The
bottom portion of the first elastic C-shaped main body 312, the
bottom portion of the second elastic C-shaped main body 322, as
well as the first U-shaped bolt 311 inserted in the second spring
drum 323 and the second U-shaped bolt inserted in the first spring
drum 313 form three-point stabilization.
[0035] When the table 100 is folded (not shown in the Figures), the
first plate body 11 is folded close to the second plate body 12,
such that the first elastic C-shaped main body 312 moves toward a
site on the first retaining groove 23 adjacent to the junction
between the first plate body 11 and the second plate body 12 and
that the entirety of the first elastic C-shaped main body 312 moves
closer to the first plate body 11. Similarly, the second elastic
C-shaped main body 322 moves toward a site on the second retaining
groove 24 adjacent to the junction between the first plate body 11
and the second plate body 12. Furthermore, when the table 100 is
folded, the first support member 31 and the second support member
32 are located between first frame 21 and second frame 22, and the
first frame 21 and the second frame 22 are located between first
plate body 11 and second plate body 12.
[0036] In some embodiments, the first frame 21 is substantially
triangular. The first retaining groove 23 is arranged on the long
leg of the triangle of the first frame 21. The short leg of the
triangle of the first frame 21 is located adjacent to the junction
of the first plate body 11 and the second plate body 12. A
retaining block 25 is arranged on the hypotenuse of the triangle of
the first frame 21, the retaining block 25 is configured to limit
the movement of the C-shaped main body 312 of the first support
member 31.
[0037] In some embodiments, the second frame 22 has a triangular
shape like that of the first frame 21, and is configured in a
mirrored manner with the first frame 21.
[0038] The first frame 21 has a position limiting cut-out 26 at
where the first U-shaped bolt 311 inserted in the second spring
drum 323. The first elastic C-shaped main body 312 passes through
the position limiting cut-out 26 which limits the movement of the
first elastic C-shaped main body 312.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first elastic C-shaped main
body 312 of the first support member 31 has a first upper portion
3121, a first connector portion 3122, and a first lower portion
3123. The first upper portion 3121 is arranged close to the first
plate body 11. The two ends of the first connector portion 3122 are
angularly connected to the first upper portion 3121 and the first
lower portion 3123, respectively. The end of the first upper
portion 3121 distal to the first connector portion 3122 is
connected to the first U-shaped bolt 311. The first U-shaped bolt
311 extends downward from the first upper portion 3121, so that the
first U-shaped bolt 311 is substantially perpendicular to a lower
surface of the first plate body 11. The end of the first upper
portion 3121 adjacent to the connection with the first connector
portion 3122 passes through the first retaining groove 23 and lean
obliquely against the first retaining groove 23 at an end thereof
distal to where the first plate body 11 and the second plate body
12 are joined when the table 100 is expanded. The end of the first
lower portion 3123 distal to the first connector portion 3122 is
connected to the first spring drum 313. The first spring drum 313
extends upward from the first lower portion 3123 so that the first
spring drum 313 is substantially perpendicular to the lower surface
of the first plate body 11.
[0040] In some embodiments of the instant specification, the first
upper portion 3121 passes through the position limiting cut-out 26
at a site adjacent to the first U-shaped bolt 311 such that the
movement of the first elastic C-shaped main body 312 is
limited.
[0041] The second elastic C-shaped main body 322 of the second
support member 32 includes a second upper portion 3221, a second
connector portion 3222, and a second lower portion 3223. The second
upper portion 3221 is arranged close to the second plate body 12.
The two ends of the second connector portion 3222 are angularly
connected to the second upper portion 3221 and the second lower
portion 3223, respectively. The end of the second upper portion
3221 distal to the second connector portion 3222 is connected to
the second U-shaped bolt 321. The second U-shaped bolt 321 extends
downward from the second upper portion 3221 so that the second
U-shaped bolt 321 is substantially perpendicular to the lower
surface of the second plate body 12. The end of the second upper
portion 3221 proximal to the connection with the second connector
portion 3222 passes through the second retaining groove 24, and
leans obliquely against the end of the second retaining groove 24
distal to where the first plate body 11 and the second plate body
12 are joined when the table 100 is expanded. The end of the second
lower portion 3223 distal to the second connector portion 3222 is
connected to the second spring drum 323. The second spring drum 323
extends upward from the second lower portion 3223 so that the
second spring drum 323 is substantially perpendicular to the lower
surface of the second plate body 12.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, the first U-shaped bolt 311 is inserted
into the second spring drum 323, which is distal to the shorter
side of the first plate body 11 and the second plate body 12. The
second U-shaped bolt 321 is inserted into the first spring drum
313, which is proximal to the shorter side of the first plate body
11 and the second plate body 12. When the table 100 is in the
expanded state, the first upper portion 3121 and the first lower
portion 3123 of the first support member 31 cross each other, and
the second upper portion 3221 of the second support member 32 does
not cross the second lower portion 3223.
[0043] With the above structure, both the first support member 31
and the second support member 32 are integrally formed, and the two
support members 31 and 32 are of similar or the same shape, which
simplify the manufacture process and reduce the costs of
manufacturing and material. Furthermore, the combination of the
first support member 31 and the second support member 32 is by
inserting the first U-shaped bolt 311 into the second spring drum
323 and inserting the second U-shaped bolt 321 into the first
spring drum 313, which makes both assembly and disassembly easy. In
addition, the elastic force between the first spring drum 313 and
the second U-shaped bolt 321 and the elastic force between the
second spring drum 323 and the first U-shaped bolt 311 can be
harnessed when expanding the table 100, which makes the table 100
easily deployable without requiring excessive force. Furthermore,
the bottom portion of first elastic C-shaped main body 312, the
bottom portion of the second elastic C-shaped main body 322, as
well as the first U-shaped bolt 311 inserted in the second spring
drum 323 and the second U-shaped bolt 321 inserted in the first
spring drum 313 forms three-point stabilization, resulting in a
stable when the table 100 is expanded.
[0044] In addition, the configuration in which the first joint
portion 13 of the first plate body 11 and the second joint portion
14 of the second plate body 12 are joinable allows the first joint
portion 13 and the second joint portion 14 to be joined by, for
example, coalescing, thereby resulting in a stably folded
table.
[0045] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so
that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of
the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate
that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for
designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying
out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the
embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also
realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make
various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Instant Table Structure that Allows Folding Tables to be Expanded
and Stably Folded--FIGS. 3-7
[0046] 100 Foldable Table [0047] 1 Table top plate [0048] 11 First
plate body [0049] 12 Second plate body [0050] 13 First joint
portion [0051] 14 Second joint portion [0052] 2 Matching frames
[0053] 21 First frame [0054] 22 Second frame [0055] 23 First
retaining groove [0056] 24 Second retaining groove [0057] 25
Retaining block [0058] 26 Position limiting cut-out [0059] 3
Foldable table legs [0060] 31 First support member [0061] 311 First
U-shaped bolt [0062] 312 First elastic C-shaped main body [0063]
3121 First upper portion [0064] 3122 First connector portion [0065]
3123 First lower portion [0066] 313 First spring drum [0067] 32
Second support member [0068] 321 Second U-shaped bolt [0069] 322
Second elastic C-shaped main body [0070] 3221 Second upper portion
[0071] 3222 Second connector portion [0072] 3223 Second lower
portion [0073] 323 Second spring drum
Design Described in Reference--FIGS. 1 and 2
[0073] [0074] 10' Table top plate [0075] 11' Rectangular plate body
[0076] 13' Convex ribs [0077] 20' Folding brackets [0078] 21' First
iron piece [0079] 211' Inner folding side plate [0080] 212' Long
position-limiting groove [0081] 213' Position-limiting sliding side
[0082] 214' Inner top plate [0083] 215' Short position-limiting
groove [0084] 216' Top end [0085] 217' Oblique guide edge [0086]
218' Position-limiting plate [0087] 22' Second iron piece [0088]
221' Outer folding side plate [0089] 222' Long position-limiting
groove [0090] 223' Position-limiting sliding side [0091] 23'
Rotation shaft portion [0092] 30' Support unit [0093] 31' First leg
[0094] 311' First standing rod [0095] 312' Second standing rod
[0096] 313' Combination connecting rod [0097] 314' Combination
sleeve [0098] 32' Second leg [0099] 321' First standing rod [0100]
322' Second standing rod [0101] 323' Combination connecting rod
[0102] 324' Combination sleeve
* * * * *